The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-20
the NATIONAL CAPITAL.
SIair's Educational Bill Introduces
with Slight Changes.
The ADMINISTRATOR Scheme for Al
terIng the Tariff.
American Authors Appealing for
Protection In their Labor.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-The admlnlstra-
tion tariff bill, which will 60 before the ways
and means committee with the endorsement
of Carlisle, after the recess. contemplates
reduction of sixty-two millicns-n1ty MIL
lions from the reductions ,of duties, chiefly
on manufacturers, and twelve millions from ON
adding wool, salt, lumber, coal, etc., TO the
free list. The bill aims at yery,extensive
revision of the present methods OF admins
tering the tariff law remedying lts lncon-
sistencies and inequalities as well as q gen
eral reduction of the high rate OF tariff taxes.
AustraIIa's Centennial.
The President to-day sent to Congress
message transmitting report from the
Secretary of State in relation to the invita-
tion from Her Britannia Majesty's govern
ment to this government to participate In
tbe international exhibition at Melbourne In
1888, to celebrate the centenary OF tne
founding of New South Wales, the first Aus
tralia colony. Secretary Bayard recommends
preparation Of $4,000 to defray the expenses
of a commission to represent the United
States government at the exposition.
BIair's Bill.
Senator Blair, from the committee on edu-
cation to-day, reported favorably the bill
passed by the Senate at the last session
ceiyed the unanimous endorsement OF the
committee. This bill contains one slgnt
change from the bill passed by the Senate.
It Eproyides for a total appropriation OF
seyenty-nine millions to be expended In
eight years.
The Authors Petition.
A petition was presented in the Senate to-
day by Senator Hawley from American au-
thors who claim they are placed at disad-
vantage in their own country by the publica--
tion of foreign books without the payment
to their authors so that, in consequence,
American books are undersold In the Amer
lean market to the detrlment OF american
literature. The petition urges the passage
by Congress of an international copyright
law which will protect the rights OF authors
and enable American writers TO ask from
foreign nations the justice we shall then no
longer deny on our own part Inc petitlon
Louise Alcott, T. b. Aldrich, Edward At
kinson, Henry Ward Beecher, Francis Hodg
son Burnett, S. l.. Clemens, George z. Eg-
gleston, Edgar Bawcett, Bret Harte, FRANK
R. Stockton, Charles Dudley warner aa;tioa ana y
John q. Whittier. A separate petition Is
signed by George Bancroft
Action Deferred.
WASHINGTON, Dec 19.-The nominations
of Lamar and Villas will go over until after
the holidays. The nomination Of Lamar Is
in charge of subcommittee consisting OF
Senators Edmunds, Hoar and Pugh.
Maine Matters.
The following Maine postmasters were APP
pointed to-day:
Henry NJ. Brewster, Curtis Corner, Androscog-
gin ,.,...o...,, waldo
county, vice Marx Z. Pendleton resigned
Orlando Currier was to-day appointed post
master at Hallowell. Me.
The first afice at Milo Junction, Piscata-
ouis county, was discontinued to-day.
The following Maine pensions were grant
ed to-day:
ORIGINAL.
Ayras. father Of James D. Haynes Bowdoin-
ham.
INCREASE.
Horatio a. Hodge, North Dixmont.
Elias Pullen, North Chesteryille.
Patrick w. Doyle, National Military Home.
Sabine A. Hardis0n, sullivan.
Milton Kneeland, Presque Isle.
REISSUE.
Marcellus Turner, Burlington.